How to Nurture Professional Relationships

Written by Valentine Fabre

Fostering a strong network and forging impactful professional relationships is imperative for your career growth. While cultivating them might be challenging for some, learning how to do so is an important soft skill that will propel your professional journey as a whole.

To advise you on how to create, develop and nurture your professional network, follow the steps below.

Get a Head Start 

Relationship building is a life-long objective, one you should aim to start before it becomes a necessity (i.e., before you need to lean on it for your career progression). Whether you are still at university or just received a promotion at work, keep in touch with those who have been beside you along the way, whether as classmates, tutors or colleagues, as these individuals will make the fabric of your support system.

This network will aid you in navigating the industry by providing moral support, valuable connections as well as insights and perspectives you may not be able to access otherwise. Make sure to offer the same even if there is no immediate reward to avoid rendering these connections as strictly transactional. 

Maintain an Open Mindset

Expand your horizons and seek connections with people who enrich you with a wide range of experiences and perspectives beyond those you are familiar and comfortable with. To do so, look beyond your specific practice or interests for potential societies, collectives or cohorts that will allow you to discover new niches and offer learning and development opportunities.

Do not be afraid to venture outside the industry, as that cross-function collaboration can potentially unlock new sources of inspiration and offer a plethora of ideas to then inform your own work.

Be Proactive

Networking and nurturing professional relationships is not a one-day matter but requires time and dedication. From regularly expressing interest in others to scheduling recurrent catch-ups, nurturing your network requires making a consistent effort. Be intentional and dependable, keep promises and follow up in a timely manner to illustrate your value as a contact and reinforce your reputation in professional circles. Advocacy goes a long way in fashion, which is heavily reliant on connections and referrals.

Lead with Authenticity

Out of every action item on this list the most important one is to bond with others authentically. Indeed, expressions of sincere interest and curiosity in others are more likely to resonate with them. Knowing your strengths, weaknesses, values, the bits and bobs that make you who you are, and then communicating those in a respectful and open-minded manner is key in building trust.

Discover more career advice and professional development courses at The Glowth Academy.  

Written by Valentine Fabre